Jan 30 2009

The Fascinating History Of Caseras Del Sol On Spain’s Costa Del Sol

If you are thinking of holidaying in Spain this year you might consider renting a villa or apartment near the beautiful whitewashed village of Casares, on the Costa Del Sol. Not sure where to stay from the varied choice of Casares apartments? We highly recommend staying at a brand new complex known as Casares Del Sol. The complex is only 10 minutes or so drive from Casares down the hill towards the coast.

Casares Del Sol is set only 1 minute by car from the Mediterranean Sea, or a 10 minute stroll! There is plenty to do and see in the local area and is ideal for couples and families, as well as the golfer, walker, cyclist, and artist.

For those interested in local history the area has many fascinating historical facts and sites. For example on the road on the way to Manilva, the spa of la Hedionda, is reputedly where the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar was cured of a liver complaint. This was allegedly due to sulphuric waters that poured from the spring, and still continue to do so today. In gratitude the Emperor permitted Casares to mint its own coins. It is argued by some that the Roman town of ‘Lacipo’ was built as a long term monument to the event. Here and there you will find other fascinating remains of Roman times such as aqueducts and bridges littered around the countryside. The small museum in Casares has quite a few Roman artifacts and is a good place to discover what Roman life was like.

Casares has certainly had a chequered history. Moorish evidence can still be seen in evidence in the 12th century Castle at Casares. In 1361, Pedro the Cruel and the dethroned Mohamed V of Granada signed the Pact of Casares, by which the Moorish King recuperated his throne, leaving Casares as part of the Nazrid kingdom. In 1485 Casares was surrendered to Catholic forces after Ronda fell and was handed to the Duke of Cádiz.

The town separated from Manilva in 1795, being granted the title of Villa. At a later period, Casares was the only town, apart from Cádiz, that the Napoleonic troops had not been able to take.

More recent history also indicates the old village as the birthplace of the father of Andalusian nationalism, Blas Infante Perez de Vargas, who was a labour lawyer, politician and writer. He was considered to be the largest historic figure in Andalucia. He was born in 1885 and died during pre war the civil struggle in 1936.

So if you want to visit the area and stay in one of the many Casares apartments, why not look at the excellent choice of villas and apartments at the complex of Casares Del Sol

 
Jan 26 2009

Plenty Of Places To See, And Lot Of Things To Do, When You Go To Your Lanzarote Villa

If you are going to a villa in Lanzarote sometime in the future you might be wondering where there is to visit when you are there. Well, the capital city of Lanzarote is Arrecife and that is a good place to start with.

Arrecife is a lively port city that has taken over from Teguise as the Island’s capital. It is positioned on the south coast of the island, nestled between Costa Teguise and Puerto Del Carmen. Arrecife is also the home to the island’s airport and a slight detour on the way to Puerto Del Carmen will give airplane enthusiasts an excellent treat as they can stand right at the end of the runway and, dependent on wind direction, have the airplanes passing low level over their heads as they take off or land.

Half of the island’s inhabitants reside in Arrecife and the site of Lanzarote’s only building of above the regulation couple of floors. From miles around the island’s only high rise structure can be seen as a giant above the city. Cesar Manrique’s vision for the protection of the island prevented the building of any more such buildings and for 30 year this hotel, the Arrecife Gran Hotel, was a mere shell mid construction as authorities debated completion or destruction.

As previously mentioned, the traditional capital was Teguise, some 6 miles further inland. This was selected as protection from the regular pirate raids of old and was the capital of the island for 450 years. It was only in the mid 1800s, when the importance of the port was recognized for the seafaring trade that the capital status was moved to Arrecife.

This piratical history is still in evidence today as there are two castles standing guard over the harbour. Although, these days they mainly stand and watch the biggest fishing fleet in the Canaries setting to sea and returning with their catch.

If you are looking for attractions to see when you have booked a Lanzarote villa to help you escape from the beach, then witnessing Timanfaya Volcano Park is a must and might be top of your list if it is your first visit to the island.

Your trip will take you first to the car park at the visitor centre. The journey through the park is amazing. It is described as being a lunar scene and that is truly the feeling that you do get as you look at fields of solidified volcanic lava that have been untouched since they were laid down. The area is now a protected park to help preserve this landscape.

When you reach the car park at the top of the visitor center there are plenty of uniformed guides to entertain you. They will demonstrate how a bucket of water poured down into a bore hole erupts seconds later as steam, heated unbelievably quickly just by the heat of the rocks below the ground. Another favorite demonstration is to push some brushwood into the rocks and then it is pulled out burning seconds later. Again, this is just the heat of the ground.

Also within the visitor centre is a fairly unique restaurant. There are no standard ovens. Instead the food is cooked from the heat given off by a hole in the ground. The demonstrations of the heat given off from the subterranean rocks are certainly varied!

There is also a guided coach tour from the visitor center that shows tourists a little more of the area and the rock formations. All of this makes Timanfaya, Fire Mountain, worthy of a visit!

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Jan 23 2009

Sinulog 2009 Draws Millions Of Tourists And Adherents

Sinulog 2009 drew millions of both local and foreign tourists and devotees who convergedover the weekend of January 17-19 to Cebu Philippines, some 600 kilometers south of Manila, Philippines, to join the Sinulog festival in honor of the centuries-old miraculous image of the Sr. Sto. Nino.

Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan gave the image of the Sto. Nino as a baptismal gift to Hara Amihan, wife of reigning Rajah Humabon, when Magellan came to Cebu on April 7, 1521.

The same image was found unharmed among the burning embers of the city when conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came to Cebu more than 40 years later on April 28, 1565 to start the formal Christianization and colonization of the Philippine islands.

The festivities turned fever pitch Sunday morning as the carousel-type Sinulog parade rolled off to the thunderousbeat of drums and blare of trumpets at nine a.m. over a 5.2-kilometer parade route.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros said Sinulog 2009 parade participants include 44 contingents and 112 groups divided into higantes (paper mache giants), floats and puppeteers.

Police said the swelling crowd of revelers by mid-morning along the parade route reached as high as 2.5 million.

Thousands more watched the parade on television as this was covered live by major television networks.

On Saturday, an estimated 1.5 million people joined the solemn procession in honor of the Sto. Nino.

The crowd was so huge that the lead pack already returned to the Basilica Menore del Sto. Nino before those in the tail end could even start walking.

Sinulog 2009 organizers said this was the grandest parade ever since the Sinulog was enlarged into a full-blown annual festival in 1981.

The Sinulog, a dance of pagan origin performed by the natives to pay homage to their native idols, has been considered as the country’s Christian link to its pagan past.

Historians said the Sto. Nino’s image was found in a wooden box lying side by side with wooden idols when Legaspi came to Cebu 44 years after Magellan was killed by Mactan chieftain Lapu-Lapu in the historic Battle of Mactan on April 27,1521. Legaspi bombarded Cebu to subdue the natives.

This led historians to conclude that the natives worshipped the Sto. Nino together with their idols as they danced the Sinulog even after Magellan’s death in the Battle of Mactan.

The Buyugan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte with its environmental theme, won first place in Sinulog 2009, stealing the award from the current champion the Lumad Basakon of Basak San Nicolas, Cebu which settled for second place in this year’s Sinulog Festival.

The Buyugan Festival dancers wowed the thousands of fans
at the Cebu Sports Complex and the thousands of people who lined the Cebu City main thoroughfares, with the mastery and fluidity of their steps and execution, the clear storyline and the spectacular props which provided drama to the total wonderful presentation.

The Buyugan Festival was also adjudged as third placer in the street dancing category which was won by the Sinundalay Cultural Group from Tangub City.

Another contingent from Leyte, the Karatong Festival of Dulag, won the fifth place, showing the entire country and the whole world that Leyte is a province to watch when it comes to festivals and cultural presentations. The Karatong Festival muse also won as the first runner up in the Miss Sinulog 2009.

The 200-man Tribu Kabatuk of Tacloban City headed by Mayor Alfred Romualdez and City Councilor Cristina Romualdez, also participated in the Sinulog 2009 and performed well. Its muse won as the best in production number in the Search for Miss Sinulog 2009.

The other winners in the free interpretation category were one of the most applauded Sinulog Tribe from Carmen, Cebu, third place; and the festival of Lanao del Norte, fourth place, which was headed by no less than the provincial governor.

For the Sinulog-based category, the winners were the Sinandaloy Cultural Group from Tangub City, first place; Don Sergio Sr. Memorial National High School, second place; Silaw Culture and Arts representing Carcar City, while Siloy Festival of Alcoy and Pakol Festival of Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental were fourth and fifth, respectively.

The first prize winners for the Sinulog 2009 and Free Interpretation will receive P500,000. Second placers will get P300,000 each and third placers will go home with P200,000. Fourth and fifth placer will receive P150,000 and P100,000 respectively.

Winners in the Street Dancing will receive the same prizes as those of the two major categories.

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Jan 23 2009

Visiting Alvor And Armacao De Pera Within Portugal

holidaying in Alvor and Armacao de Pera within the Algarve

For those considering villas Algarve, then an option to be considered is Alvor. Located 8 km west of Portimão, Alvor became an important port during the time of the Moorish occupation. It once had its own castle, which was destroyed by the earthquake on 1 November, 1755. Originally built by the Carthaginians in 436 AD, it was attacked and plundered by the Christian Crusaders in 1189, at the same time as the settlements of Silves and Portimão were taken. King João II died here in 1495, after taking the waters at the spa of Monchique in an attempt to cure his dropsy.

The village of Alvor itself is a maze of traditional cobbled streets and a 16th-century parish church with a fine Manueline portal featuring a round arch and abstract floral motifs. As well as Alvor beach itself, there are some lovely golden stretches of sand towards Portimão, most notably the small cove of Praia dos Três Irmãos with its magnificent red cliffs.

Further east are the caves and grottoes at João de Areus and the quiet, secluded beach of Praia do Vau nearby. The small village of Abidaca, situated on a slope to the east of Alvor, has traces of a Roman settlement. Further to the east, is the fishing port of Portimão, which has many good restaurants and plenty of night-life.

There are many wonderful beaches to choose from, many just minutes away. Children are not left out either in Alvor. There are a number of Water Parks nearby including Slide and Splash, The Big One and Zoomarine. There is also the picturesque town of Silves that was once the Moorish capital. In these inland towns and Villages, you can sample a quieter and more relaxed way of life and maybe catch a flavour of what life was like in bygone days.

Another option for visiting within the Algarve if you are considering villas Algarve is Armacao de Pera. Armacao de Pera was for centuries a fishing village, a focal point for fishermen attracted by the abundance of fish, especially sardines and tuna, which was salted and sold in the south and in the centre of Portugal. To defend the settlement against raids from pirates and corsairs, a small fort was built in the 17th century at the initiative of a prosperous and generous boat-owner. One of the walls of this old fortification, with a doorway, and above it the royal coat of arms, still stands on a slight elevation overlooking the sea. The chapel inside, which is dedicated to Santo Antonio, dates from the same period. Theses days, the fishermen’s nets are still to be seen on Praia dos Pescadores. But it is to the tourists who come for its broad sands and warm waters the Armação de Pêra now owes its lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Armação de Pêra is a traditional Portuguese town. The main beach is dotted with colourful fishing boats along the sandy beaches. The old part of the town has plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants that provides an excellent place to sample the fish and fruits as well as giving you a flavour of the culture of old Portugal.

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Jan 22 2009

Catfishing On Spain’s River Ebro Is A Memorable Experience

Catfishing On The River Ebro Is A Fantastic Experience

You might be the many people that are out there fishing for catfish on a regular basis or you may be a person that is looking to take it up, if you are either of these descriptions then I can say to you now it is one of the best bits of fishing that you will ever look back on, just try it and see. If you have already tried it and loved it then you really need to get yourself over to Spain’s river Ebro to try out some real catfish fishing in. Over there you will find catfish that grow up to huge lengths and also they will give you the fight of your life trying to pull them in.

The Ebro is famous for its Spanish catfishing which sees hundreds of these fish caught daily and these fish are extraordinary fish, they are huge and this river has given up some of the biggest ever catches for catfish on record and the scary thing is that they are being landed at such a high rate you really start to wonder how many are actually in there.

There are different ways that people go about catfish fishing on the river Ebro and each of them seem to be very effective, these methods include fishing from the river bank, free roving and fixed live bait fishing. The most effective method for catfish fishing on the Ebro though definitely seems to be fishing free from a boat as you are able to get out into places where you cant get to from the banks. Also you are able to get to parts at the side of the river where you normally could not go and these places seem to be where most of the catfish are caught.

Catfish fishing on the river Ebro can be done all year round as the climate is just right for them most of the year round giving them roughly a 10 month breeding season. The catfish tend to spawn during the month of May so this is probably not the time of year to go but you can still yield some very large catches, the main monster catches seem to appear a month or 2 after which is when I would probably recommend fishing it if you are just out for big catches, but as I said massive catches are being caught day in day out all throughout the year. These are just usually the months you will have the best fishing of your life.

As well as catfish fishing on the river Ebro there are many different past times that you can do while you are having a rest from catching these superb monster fish, activities include sightseeing and shopping etc. You can be sure that you will not be bored during your visit. Also the weather over there in Spain is nice pretty much constantly other than the odd couple of months in the winter which are still quite warm.

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Jan 22 2009

Here’s Why You Ought To Visit Malaysia

How to choose the correct destination is an important factor in traveling. Most people choose their destination based on what they want to get out of the place. You may want to experience other cultures, taste exotic food, see different things and meet friendly people. For all or a combination of these, choose Malaysia. As a Malaysian, I can tell you a lot about Malaysia tourism.

Malaysia, located just above the Equator, is a country in South-East Asia.

It is divided into West and East Malaysia with the South China Sea in between them.

Malaysia is very tourist-friendly with delicious food and exciting places to visit all over the country. Malaysians are among the warmest people you will find anywhere. In Malaysia, you can experience different cultures of the various people groups. The main ethnic groups are Malays, Chinese and Indians in West Malaysia and Kadazans and Ibans in East Malaysia.

For example, it is a custom for Malays to point at someone with the thumb instead of the index finger. Pointing with the index finger is deemed impolite.

As far as food is concerned, Malaysia is a paradise. All sorts of dishes are easily found. Rice is the staple diet for Malaysians but each people group has its own styles of cooking. The Malays and Indians love spicy food so much of their cooking has curry and chilli. Some examples of fine Malay dishes are Nasi Kandar and Satay. The Indians are famous for their Nasi Bryani and Roti Canai. On the other hand, the Chinese like their soup and noodles besides rice so their cooking is more bland compared to the Malays and Indians. Some of the favorite Chinese dishes include fried or wet noodles and Bak Kut Teh.

Malaysia has many interesting places to visit. If you love the city attractions, big Malaysian cities like Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching offer shopping and food comparative to any other city in the world. Kuala Lumpur is famous for the Petronas Towers, the tallest building in the world up to 2002. Attached to the Petronas Towers is the elegant Suria KLCC shopping mall, one of the many top-class malls in Kuala Lumpur. Petaling Jaya, another city just 7 miles away from Kuala Lumpur, has many shopping destinations, too. Among the most well-known is Sunway Pyramid that houses Malaysia’s only ice skating ring and the popular Sunway Lagoon Theme Park.

For recreation, you can head up to the cool atmosphere of Genting Highlands.

This is the site of Malaysia’s only casino and another huge theme park. The Genting City of Entertainment hosts many international artistes. Among those that have performed there recently include Celine Dion, Tony Orlando and The Osmonds. Kuala Lumpur is home to the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary at the KL Bird Park. The Park has over 3,000 of the most interesting birds. You will also find the Aquaria and Petrosains Center in Suria KLCC.

As the names suggest, these are KL’s aquarium and science center respectively.

For those who like to rough it out under more rugged conditions, try Sarawak’s homestay program where you can spend 2 or 3 days living in an Iban longhouse.

Alternatively, try climbing Mount Kinabalu in Sabah which is the tallest mountain in South-East Asia. Wildlife lovers can head up to Sabah’s Sepilok Orang Utan Sanctuary to see the endangered Oran Utans in their natural environment. If you wish to stay in 5-star conditions in the middle of the tropical rainforest, then go to Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Sabah and take a river cruise down the Kinabatangan River. You get to see live monkeys and other small mammals living in the most fascinating flora of the jungle. The experience is like no other.

These are just some of the many reasons why Malaysia should be your destination of choice on your next holiday.

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Jan 20 2009

Discover Helpful Info About Plantation Bay Resort

Plantation bay resort and spa cebu is extended over 11.4 hectares in Marigondon, Mactan where the beach is white sand and the water crystal-clear and blue. It is in Cebu, Philippines, one of the most dynamic urban areas in the country with the most ethnic diversity. It boasts of cottages of colonial-plantation architecture scattered around a number of artificial lagoons.

From the moment you walk in the lobby, the sound of water greets you like a forerunnerto another world. The lobby itself is decorated with old wooden floors, large wooden sofas, large printed rugs, high ceilings, and the thrill of open-air music from a grand piano.

The lagoons of Plantation Bay Resort are the main focus especially behind the reception area. Looking at the lagoon from the main lobby, one would think that it is only one lagoon crisscrossed by several footpaths. But it is really several lagoons with a slightly raised swimming pool off its center.

Every room at Plantation Bay Resort has a view of the water. The overall effect is like being in a Caribbean village. The Water’s Edge is the most sought after room, located right at the edge of the lagoon. From the balcony, one can be in the water within 2 seconds.

The Lagoon Side has a king and queen beds, with luxurious and separate tub and shower. The ground-floor rooms feature generously sized balconies, which open directly onto the beach. The Lagoon View rooms are situated on the second floor or a few yards further from the beach.

For groups and large families who wish to share one room, why not try the Club Room, a combination of queen and bunk beds. Modified dormitory-style bathrooms, it is suitable for six to eight occupants.

The two-bedroom suite has two master’s bedrooms, both with extra-large bathrooms, living room and powder room. It is the most popular choice for two couples vacationing together and families with several children.

Plantation Bay Resort has two other special suites, each of them unique. The Riverboat Suite is a two-bedroom cottage built on stilts over flowing water, beautifully shaded with spreading acacia trees.

The Penthouse Suite is a two-bedroom house on two floors. The salon and dining area are perfect for entertaining. The master’s bedroom overlooks Mogambo Falls and has a private terrace.

Plantation Bay Resort opened its expanded spa called Mogambo Springs in mid-September of 2007. It is named Mogambo Springs to suit the exotic sounding names of the cottages. It sits on a 4,500-square-meter lot beside the artificial waterfall and a two-storey cottage called Magombo.

In the spa, Plantation Bay Resort makes use of the available materials such as limestone, treated bamboos, “pandan” for the flooring and “nipa” leaves for the roofs, in accordance with its intention of maintaining a Filipino character. In other words, it has the looks of an 18th century Japanese village with an African sounding name and a Filipino character.

Mogambo Springs has 21 massage rooms. Among them is a private villa, ideal for couples and families, with its own lounge area and a hot pool. There are four suite rooms which have bath tubs. A pagoda-like structure stands at the end of the spa facility. It contains two Pagoda Rooms, which can accommodate six persons.

Near the reception area, the spa”s pools are tucked in little crannies and gardens. With a 27-square meter area and seats with Jacuzzi jests, it can accommodate eight persons. Nearby, just behind the artificial waterfall, the thalassic pool has 12 Jacuzzi jets, bubblers, fiber optic lighting loose river stone flooring and salt water, pumped directly from the sea.

It offers an ample hostof services, consisting of the usual massages, spa packages and face and body treatments. It also provides salon treatments. It boasts of 35 therapists who are said to be trained in Singapore. Nenette Castillon, who has been with Plantation Bay since it opened, is the spa director.

The massages on offer include the Skinful Pleasures; the Dorn method; the pool massage, which is 35 minutes of a water relaxation therapy (Php600); the stress-relieving chair massage (Php800 for 30 minutes); foot therapy (Php1,800 for one hour); full body massage (Php1,600 for one hour); with choices of shiatsu, Swedish and combination; and aromatherapy oil massage (Php 1,800 for one hour) with choices of harmony, revitalizing, relaxing and sensuality.

The one-hour Skinful Pleasures (Php1,800) is an original creation that involves stretching, squeezing, straightening and other motions applied to the skin and muscles. On the other hand, the one-hour Dorn method (Php2,500) is a German healing method available exclusively at Mogambo Springs. It is a holistic manual therapy that is gentle on the joints and vertebrae and helps many forms of physical discomforts like stiffness, back and neck pains, pelvic and lower body pains and general stress.

The highlight of the Plantation Bay Resort spa packages is the six-hour and 30 minutes Ultimate Mogambo Springs Experience (Php8,800), which premises maximum pampering with a pool massage, a body scrub, a foot therapy, a facial treatment of choice, an aromatherapy oil massage and a hot oil treatment and nail care in a private treatment room.

It is not only the spa which Plantation Bay Resort is noted for. It boasts of several of the finest restaurants in Cebu City – the Kilimanjaro Kafe, the Palermo (an Italian Restaurant) and the Fiji Restaurant which serves seafood, Japanese, Korean and other Asian food while the Savanah Grill is great for families or those in a rush. It serves burgers, hotdogs, and other fast-food favorites, all with 5-star flair.

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Jan 19 2009

Experience Albuferia For It Wonderful Golden Beaches

For those wishing to go to villas Algarve, then an excellent choice must be Albufeira. Albufeira, Portugal’s most popular resort, has been described as the “Tourist Capital” of the Algarve. Spreading from the old town both east and west along the coast, its sandy coves and wonderful golden beaches drawing an assorted crowd of visitors, from families with young children to retired couples searching for the sun.

Everyone finds something to enjoy in this enjoyable sprawling, low-rise holiday Meccain the Algarve , which still retains its old world charm in the traditional narrow alleyways behind the new hip and happening Rue Candido dos Reis (the bar street), which at night is a must. The “Strip”, as it is referred to locally by many, in the east of the town, runs from the Montechoro Hotel down to the Praia da Oura, lined with dozens of wonderful cafes, restaurants and many bars.

In contrast, the old town of Albufeira has a still retains a special charm all of its own, with its sleepy cobbled side streets and alleyways that criss-cross the town, many of them converging in the main square which at night comes alive with the throng of people, music, lights, sounds and aromas of the many restaurants and bars. Local activities cycling, horse riding, tennis, wind-surfing and more.

The recent progress has turned Albufeira into a city with tourism and leisure as its vocation. The streets in the old Cerro da Vila still preserve the picturesque appeal of whitewashed houses and narrow streets. In Travessa da Igreja Velha, an old moorish arch indicates the place where once stood a primitive mosque, later transformed into the town’s first church.

On the beach, the bright colours of the fishing boats contrast vividly with the blue of the sea. Indifferent to the tourists nearby, the fishermen carry on the task of mending and preparing their nets, as they have done for hundreds of years. A walk by the sea will offer you a magnificent view over the city, the beaches and the cliffs which are part of the charm of Albufeira. The sidewalk leads to the pretty cave at Xorino, where the Moors took refuge when the town was reconquered by the Christians sometime in the 13th century.

Albufeira is a very popular holiday destination offering something for everyone from the Old Town with its lovelly narrow cobbled streets, the numerous sandy beaches nearby and the cafes, bars and local restaurants of ‘the strip’. A unique atmosphere in the Old Town with its white washed houses and Moorish arches around the main square. You can relax on ‘Praia da Pescadores’ where they can still be seen bringing in their catches. For anyone looking for villas in the Algarve, Albufeira is a top choice.

 
Jan 18 2009

There’s A Lot To Keep You Occupied When You Go To Calahonda

Only 25 minutes driving time from Malaga International Airport, Las Palmeras de Calahonda is a brand new community built on the heights of Calahonda, Spain and is a good option for those looking for Costa Del Sol Apartments. Its elevation provides views over rural landscape and down to the Mediterranean Sea. Las Palmeras sits at the top of Calle Don Jose de Orbaneja.

The community is based around low rise apartment blocks each having its own identity and community spirit. The apartments range from 2 bed roomed 2 bath roomed apartments with kitchen / living rooms to 2 bed roomed 2 bath roomed apartments with separate kitchens and living rooms, to penthouses complete with a luxurious Jacuzzi!

One of the benefits of Las Palmeras above other Apartments Costa Del Sol is the fact that it is a gated community, access by a key fob for authorised users. Additional security is by the provision of underground parking for the majority of apartments.

Las Palmeras also benefits from the large number of swimming pools on site. Bloque 3 for example has 2 pools within 20 metres of the apartments. The great thing is that due to Spanish Health and Safety Law the number of users is restricted, for example 25 persons. This ensures that there is plenty of swimming and sunbathing space. Safety of the little ones is assisted by the pools being enclosed with fencing and gates.

A local land train makes the circular journey from just below Las Palmeras into the town of Calahonda. This is great if you do not wish to drive whilst on your holiday, or want to make your teenagers self reliant!

If you are a golfer and want to play whilst on holiday, staying at Las Palmeras is ideal as it has a golf club just 2 minutes away, Club La Siesta Golf. This short 9 hole par 3 course opened in 1990. Although par 3 it seems longer and harder to play, because the course is undulated with plenty of vegetation and some great views. For a longer game play at the spectacular Cabopino Golf Course. Well designed lakes will test your accuracy from the tee and add to the already wonderful views towards the ocean. There are numerous other excellent golf courses in the area.

One of my favourite haunts in the area is Puerto Cabopino just 5 minutes away along the coast road towards Gibraltar. The Puerto is small and has excellent restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets. Next to the Puerto is a beach complete with sun beds and umbrellas. Walk further along the beach towards Gibraltar to reach the Salt Tower and a more natural spot.

A must is a visit to the whitewashed Mijas Pueblo 428 metres above sea level. Renowned for its cobbled streets, donkey tours and local art ware. That said it has managed to hang on to its traditional Andalucian way of life.

For a weekend trip visit Tivoli World Show and Amusement Park at Benalmadena, just off of the A7, junction 222, or the Sealife Centre in Puerto Marina Benalmadena where you can see 5000 different creatures.

There is so much to do and see in the local area that a week at Las Palmeras de Calahonda might just not be enough!

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Jan 17 2009

Villas At Casares Are An Excellent And Relaxing Holiday Resort

One of my all time favourite spots for a holiday is the wonderful relaxing apartments at Casares situated on the Costa Del Sol, Spain. Being only 25 minutes from Gibraltar International Airport makes the resort idyllic for short breaks as well as longer holidays. You can, should you wish, manage without hiring a car since there is a good, reliable, local taxi service and a bus stop at the bottom of the coastal road. Casares Del Sol is also easily reached for new arrivals from Malaga Airport, just 60 minutes drive away via either the coastal or toll road. We frequently use both airports based on the cheapest flights we can find on the internet at the time of booking.

Casares Del Sol is based around a group of small intimate communities of apartments each having its own unique features. Each community is run and managed by a small community committee. At the centre of each community are communal gardens. Taking centre stage of each community is a wonderful swimming pool complete with bed chairs and umbrellas. Our own block has a large main pool as well as having the additional benefit of a splash pool for the little ones. The pools are surrounded with palm trees and other tropical trees. The owners have considered further developments for holidaymakers and planned for our community for 2009 is a table tennis table, a small putting green, and possibly a boule court!

Casares Del Sol has a great location away from the main coastal road. Casares Del Sol is but 1 minute drive from the Mediterranean Sea at the bottom of the hill. If you wish to walk to the beach it is a no more than a mere 12-15 minute gentle stroll. There is a taxi rank at the bottom operational from about 10am until midnight if you don’t fancy walking back uphill.

The majority of apartments at Casares Del Sol have either sea, mountain or golf course views, or indeed a combination of these views. At the beach you will find that there aretwo beach bars, the ‘Chiringuito Beach Bar’ right on the beach and a little further up the beach towards Marbella, ‘La Perla’ The Chiringuito is a traditional beach bar frequented by locals as well as holidaymakers, whilst the new ‘La Perla’ has a more cosmopolitan style that is complete with sails to provide shade, coconut matting and decking. Both bars serve excellent fresh local cuisine. For a real treat you can have traditional paella sat on the beach!

Casaes Del Sol is situated in a greenbelt of golf courses thus ensuring that you are not spending your holiday surrounded by buildings. Right next door is the new mecca for golfers Finca Cortesin, which replaces from 2009 Valderrama Golf Course for the Volvo Masters Golf Tournament. Right across the road to the apartments is Casares Golf. Casares Golf is a 9 hole par 3 and 4 course with a fantastic golf club. It is alsoopen to non members who just wish to use its bar and restaurant facilities with fantastic views over the course to the Meditterrean.

There are a good selection of Spanish bars and restaurants to choose from on the nearby beaches of Sabilinas, 5minutes by car. Why not visit Marbella, Puerto Banus or Gibraltar for the day if you want to venture slightly further afield? All are easily reached.

So if you would like to enjoy a nice relaxing holidayin the sun , either as a couple or as a family stay at Casares Del Sol on the Costa Del Sol!